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gbatts's review against another edition
4.0
The structure of this book was interesting, a hybrid of memoir and self-help, which lead to it being written as a mostly chronological series of essays. Like all self-help books, it was speak more to certain mindsets. Karamo has obviously done a lot of professional development training, himself starting on a leadership pathway at a young age, as I recognise many techniques he’s using in the book. Like how we is constantly stating his ambitions. It’s good to read from someone’s perspective who’s unashamedly ambitious and lays down how hard he’s worked.
There are many important social topics covered too, especially addressing men’s mental health. The statistics on same-sex domestic violence were shocking and I hope this book can drive some conversations or help some people.
There are many important social topics covered too, especially addressing men’s mental health. The statistics on same-sex domestic violence were shocking and I hope this book can drive some conversations or help some people.
pacifickat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.25
This memoire is also a self help book, which is my least favorite genre. I don't even like home décor that tries to tell me what to do in saccharine yet judgy tones (Live, Laugh, Love, Dream, Smile, Believe, Think Happy, Good Vibes Only...). So, this was not the book for me.
It also seems like Karamo believes he's manifested a lot of his success by putting the right vibes out in the universe, but it seems more like he's very pushy in many cases and sometimes bowls others over in pursuit of his dreams. He can be charismatic, charming, and driven. This combination can come off as bullying, manipulative, and disingenuous. There was a whole section about his partner, Ian, not wanting to get married and being very clear from the start, and Karamo saying Ian had to be the one to take their relationship to that next step. Then the next beat, Karamo plans this humongous public birthday party for Ian where he proposes in front of all their family and friends, and he's nervous because he's not sure Ian will say yes. It just seemed super manipulative! I would have been super mad and confused in Ian's shoes. The behavior looks like love, but is it? It might really be self serving.
Furthermore, Karamo also often describes situations and past conversations in ways that seem hugely implausible and are meant to cast him in the best possible light. I'm sure you said all those perfect things in that moment of tension, buddy. Suuuuure.
It's not all bad though, and I do admire some of his life choices and experiences. I even thought we had similar experiences with having church purity culture teachings pushed far too early, leading to huge discomfort and anxiety with being negatively sexualized when I was too young to sort through the messaging and my own feelings.
All in all, I was a bit bored. Karamo is a talker, and often in a rambling sort of way. The beginning and end moved along, but the middle dragged. Also, the events of his life being told out of order, jumping from one thing back to another and then forward again, is repetitive at best and confusing at worst. It made me wonder when and how he had attained his social work training, how long it was between his treatment for domestic abuse and meeting Ian or being on Queer Eye, and what the overlap between his social work practice and his drug abuse/domestic abuse episodes had actually been.
As a fan of the Fab 5, I would strongly recommend Jonathan Van Ness' memoire over this one. To me it felt less preachy, more genuine, and better structured as a narrative.
It also seems like Karamo believes he's manifested a lot of his success by putting the right vibes out in the universe, but it seems more like he's very pushy in many cases and sometimes bowls others over in pursuit of his dreams. He can be charismatic, charming, and driven. This combination can come off as bullying, manipulative, and disingenuous. There was a whole section about
Furthermore, Karamo also often describes situations and past conversations in ways that seem hugely implausible and are meant to cast him in the best possible light. I'm sure you said all those perfect things in that moment of tension, buddy. Suuuuure.
It's not all bad though, and I do admire some of his life choices and experiences. I even thought we had similar experiences with having church purity culture teachings pushed far too early, leading to huge discomfort and anxiety with being negatively sexualized when I was too young to sort through the messaging and my own feelings.
All in all, I was a bit bored. Karamo is a talker, and often in a rambling sort of way. The beginning and end moved along, but the middle dragged. Also, the events of his life being told out of order, jumping from one thing back to another and then forward again, is repetitive at best and confusing at worst. It made me wonder when and how
As a fan of the Fab 5, I would strongly recommend Jonathan Van Ness' memoire over this one. To me it felt less preachy, more genuine, and better structured as a narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Violence
Colorism, manipulationtheskyisnew's review against another edition
4.0
I knew a lot of facts about Karamo already from osmosis, but it was particularly interesting to hear about his time on Real World, especially as I remember him from the show and how they presented him as somewhat unstable. It was also really interesting to have him talk about how the show wanted him to be more cultural, because when I was watching the show, I was like "Karamo literally never talks about culture, what does Culture even mean as a topic." So there's a whole story behind that. Obviously we know he's cut himself out of the cloth really well with time, but it wasn't that way right off the bat. Anyway. A really good read! Such a great guy.
megs_k's review against another edition
3.0
We often develop into who we are based on how people interact with us, but as we get older, it is our responsibility to grow based on how we feel about ourselves. ~ Karamo Brown
missy_evanko's review against another edition
4.0
Whoa, learned some very interesting things about Karamo's past that just makes you love him even more.
chughes120's review against another edition
4.0
**3.5 stars** I have to applaud Karamo for coming straight out of the gate owning up to his addiction and abuse issues. I was not expecting that and I have a lot more respect for him after reading this now. Is it the best memoir you can read? No, but it felt very heartfelt and purposeful and I believe he wrote it himself instead of getting a ghost writer. I was surprised that I didn’t care that he wasn’t giving as much QE gossip or life advice like Tan had in his book because I was genuinely more interested in his personal story. I also get now why we were all judging him in S1 and regret it.
Also shout out Houston what upppp *dabs*
Also shout out Houston what upppp *dabs*
briannethebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Karamo Brown, culture expert from Queer Eye, tells the story of his past, present, and future. He details memories of his childhood and shares the values instilled in him by his Jamaican parents, and then takes us through his teenage years and early adulthood, a time when he was struggling with a drug addiction. Karamo proudly talks about being a father. He enlightens us on how he got through some of the darkest times of his life and hopes to inspire readers and watchers of Queer Eye to overcome setbacks and chase our dreams.
I was really blown away by how thoughtful and insightful Karamo was in his book. He talks through so many complex issues like race, sexuality, and fatherhood, with such clarity, and it made me really think about the bigger picture of what he was saying. He is very honest and gave us the reality of his adversities, as ugly and painful as they are, and I admire him for that. I was recently pushed to watch Queer Eye by a friend (this is me acknowledging you were right, @care_szo), and I was very inspired by it and and immediately pre-ordered Karamo’s book as soon as I finished watching seasons 1 and 2.
I was really blown away by how thoughtful and insightful Karamo was in his book. He talks through so many complex issues like race, sexuality, and fatherhood, with such clarity, and it made me really think about the bigger picture of what he was saying. He is very honest and gave us the reality of his adversities, as ugly and painful as they are, and I admire him for that. I was recently pushed to watch Queer Eye by a friend (this is me acknowledging you were right, @care_szo), and I was very inspired by it and and immediately pre-ordered Karamo’s book as soon as I finished watching seasons 1 and 2.
honeycoffeereads's review against another edition
3.0
As Queer Eye's culture expert, Karamo has a unique ability to connect with the show's guests - all of the external changes that the other fabulous four implement won't matter if there's not an internal change too. To help them face their fears and embrace themselves, one would have to have experienced a deep range of trials and successes. Similar to Jonathan's book (as its the only one I've read so far), Karamo helps us understand the challenges he's overcome by opening up about his past of drug addiction and abuse as well as becoming a father and celebrating his sexuality. Even though I truly admire Karamo's honesty while telling his story, the overall focus of the memoir is more or less a chronological inventory of experiences he's faced. The writing is simple enough to breeze through, but it's also too similar to other lifestyle memoirs that offer various vulnerable details but also skims the surface. The style isn't exactly distinct or engrossing. Since Karamo is a licensed social worker and psychotherapist, I'm surprised that the book didn't add little sections of empowering guidance for readers to make changes in their own life - every chapter could've offered unique advice for addicts, abuse survivors, LGBTQ+ community, etc. and would've elevated the book a little more. Sometimes hear someone's story is enough to help people through their own struggles, so I commend Karamo's ability to use his experiences to bond with people on the show - I just wish that the book didn't feel so one-sided.